Abraham Intercedes for Sodom
Genesis 18:16-33
Gen.18.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקמו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- משם: PREP
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וישקפו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- סדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואברהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עמם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לשלחם: PREP+VERB,qal,inf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Gen.19:1 (structural): Direct narrative continuation: the two visitors/angels arrive at Sodom and the action begun in 18:16 (the men looking toward Sodom and Abraham accompanying them) moves into the Sodom scene.
- Hebrews 13:2 (allusion): Explicitly evokes the Abrahamic hospitality tradition ('do not neglect to show hospitality... for thereby some have entertained angels unawares'), commonly read as referring to Abraham's reception of the visitors in Genesis 18–19.
- Judges 19:15–21 (thematic): Parallel hospitality/escort motif: hosts and travelers interact at the city gate, and the expectations and dangers surrounding the protection and escorting of guests echo the Abraham–Sodom material's concerns about hospitality and city response.
- Luke 24:28–29 (thematic): Motif of accompanying and hospitality: travelers (Jesus and the two disciples) walk together and invite hospitality; echoes the host/guest movement and the practice of accompanying or sending off visitors found in Genesis 18:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the men rose up from there and looked out toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them off.
- And the men rose from there and looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them off.
Gen.18.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המכסה: PART,qal,ptc,m,sg,def
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- מאברהם: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Amos 3:7 (verbal): Affirms the principle that Yahweh does not act without first revealing his counsel to his servants — closely parallels Gen 18:17's idea of not hiding his purpose from Abraham.
- Psalm 25:14 (thematic): Speaks of 'the secret of the LORD' being with those who fear him and God revealing his covenant — echoes the notion of divine disclosure to a chosen faithful person (Abraham).
- Genesis 18:19 (structural): Immediate literary parallel in the same pericope: God explains why he will disclose his plans to Abraham (because he will command his household), making Gen 18:17–19 a unit about divine revelation to Abraham.
- Jeremiah 18:7-10 (thematic): Discusses God announcing intentions toward nations and responding to their actions — thematically related to divine declaration of plans and the possibility of change or disclosure found in Gen 18:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- And YHWH said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,
- And YHWH said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,
Gen.18.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואברהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לגוי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ועצום: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ונברכו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- גויי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Gen.12:2-3 (verbal): Initial promise to Abram: 'I will make you a great nation... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you' — the same core language and promise.
- Gen.17:4-6 (verbal): Renewal of the promise when Abram becomes Abraham: God says he will make him 'exceedingly fruitful' and 'nations' and 'kings' shall come from him, echoing 'great and mighty nation.'
- Gen.22:18 (verbal): Promise reiterated after Abraham's obedience: 'In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed' — same blessing motif tied to Abraham's descendants.
- Gen.26:4 (verbal): God repeats the Abrahamic promise to Isaac: 'in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed,' showing covenant continuity.
- Gen.28:14 (verbal): Promise given to Jacob: 'in you and your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed,' echoing the language and scope of Gen 18:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- For Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him.
- and Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth shall be blessed?
Gen.18.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- ידעתיו: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- למען: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יצוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PART
- בניו: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ואת: CONJ
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ושמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- צדקה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומשפט: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למען: CONJ
- הביא: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PART
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.17:9-10 (verbal): God commands Abraham to keep the covenant and applies the sign of circumcision to his offspring — parallels Gen 18:19’s emphasis on Abraham’s responsibility to command his household and preserve the covenant way.
- Gen.26:4-5 (thematic): God’s blessing on Isaac is linked to Abraham’s obedience and keeping God’s commands (’kept my charge, my commandments’), echoing the causal link in Gen 18:19 between Abraham’s household keeping the way of the LORD and God’s promises.
- Deut.6:6-7 (verbal): Parents are instructed to teach God’s words diligently to their children and talk of them ‘when you sit in your house’ — directly parallels the duty of commanding one’s children and household to follow the way of the LORD.
- Josh.24:15 (thematic): Joshua’s declaration ‘as for me and my house we will serve the LORD’ reflects the same household-level commitment to serve and follow YHWH that Gen 18:19 expects Abraham to secure in his family.
- Ps.78:5-7 (thematic): God appointed statutes and commanded the ancestors so they would teach them to their children, that the next generation might know God — parallels the purpose in Gen 18:19 of instructing the household so God’s promise would be fulfilled.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I have known him, that he may command his sons and his household after him, that they keep the way of YHWH by doing righteousness and justice, so that YHWH may bring upon Abraham what he has spoken concerning him.
- For I have known him, so that he may command his children and his household after him, and they will keep the way of YHWH, to do righteousness and justice, so that YHWH may bring upon Abraham what he has spoken concerning him.
Gen.18.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- זעקת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- סדם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועמרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- רבה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- וחטאתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3mp
- כי: CONJ
- כבדה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- Genesis 19:24-25 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone because of the cities' great outcry and grievous sin (causal link to Gen 18:20).
- Ezekiel 16:49-50 (thematic): Reinterprets the reason for Sodom's punishment—pride, excess, and neglect of the poor—providing a moral explanation for the 'outcry' and 'very grave' sin mentioned in Genesis 18:20.
- Jude 1:7 (allusion): New Testament reference to Sodom and Gomorrah's sexual immorality and enduring punishment by fire, echoing the Genesis account of grievous sin and divine judgment.
- 2 Peter 2:6-8 (allusion): Uses the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of divine judgment on the wicked, linking their ruin to their sinful conduct and the rescue of the righteous (Lot) similar to Genesis narrative.
- Luke 17:28-29 (thematic): Jesus cites the sudden destruction of Sodom at the time Lot left as a warning about judgment to come, reflecting the Genesis theme of catastrophic punishment for grave sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- And YHWH said, The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is indeed very heavy.
- And YHWH said, The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is very heavy.
Gen.18.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ארדה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,com,sg
- נא: PART
- ואראה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,com,sg
- הכצעקתה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הבאה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כלה: ADV
- ואם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- אדעה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,com,sg
Parallels
- Gen.11:5 (verbal): Both verses use the motif of God ‘descending’ to ‘see’ (Heb. ירד/לראות): God goes down to inspect human activity before acting.
- Gen.18:20 (verbal): Immediate context: both verses speak of the ‘cry’ (הצעקה/צעקת) of Sodom that has reached God and motivate his decision to investigate.
- Exod.2:24-25 (thematic): God ‘hears’ the groaning of the afflicted Israelites, remembers his covenant and prepares to act—parallel theme of divine response to a cry reaching God.
- Exod.3:7-8 (thematic): God observes Israel’s affliction and declares he will act on their behalf—similar language of God noticing suffering and coming down to intervene.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to its outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.
- I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to its outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.
Gen.18.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפנו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- משם: PREP
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- סדמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,prop
- ואברהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עודנו: ADV
- עמד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 18:23 (structural): Immediate continuation: Abraham, still standing before Yahweh (v.22), begins his direct petition for Sodom’s inhabitants in v.23–33 — same scene of intercession.
- Genesis 19:1 (structural): Narrative continuation: the ‘men’ who depart toward Sodom in 18:22 arrive at Sodom in 19:1 (the angels’ journey and ensuing events).
- Exodus 32:11, 32 (thematic): Moses stands before the LORD and intercedes for Israel after their sin, paralleling Abraham’s role as a mediator pleading for a city’s people.
- Psalm 106:23 (verbal): Speaks of Moses who ‘stood in the breach’ to avert God’s wrath — a similar verbal/image of standing before God on behalf of others as in Gen 18:22–33.
- Daniel 9:20 (thematic): While Daniel was praying and confessing, a heavenly messenger comes — parallels the motif of human petition/prayer in the presence of divine/angelic figures seen in Gen 18:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, and Abraham was still standing before YHWH.
- And the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, and Abraham was still standing before YHWH.
Gen.18.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגש: VERB,qal,wayy,3,m,sg
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האף: PART
- תספה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- צדיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- רשע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.32:11-14 (thematic): Moses intercedes to avert divine destruction of Israel, appealing to God's reputation and mercy—parallel to Abraham's pleading to spare the righteous with the wicked.
- Num.14:13-19 (thematic): Moses again pleads for the people after their rebellion, arguing from God's renown and covenant promises; similar model of bold petition to reverse judgment.
- Ezek.18:23 (verbal): God rhetorically asks whether He takes pleasure in the death of the wicked—echoing the moral/legal concern about divine justice that underlies Abraham's question.
- Jonah 4:11 (thematic): God defends pity for a great city because of the many innocent, paralleling Abraham's argument about sparing a city if righteous people are found within it.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abraham drew near and said, Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
- And Abraham drew near and said, Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Gen.18.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אולי: ADV
- יש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- חמשים: NUM,card,m,pl
- צדיקם: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בתוך: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- האף: PART
- תספה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- תשא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- למקום: PREP
- למען: PREP
- חמשים: NUM,card,m,pl
- הצדיקם: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בקרבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 18:23-32 (structural): The immediate narrative context: Abraham’s formal bargaining with YHWH over Sodom, beginning with the offer of fifty righteous and proceeding downward to ten.
- Genesis 18:25 (verbal): Part of the same speech—Abraham appeals to divine justice ('Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?'), a key verbal motif framing his plea to spare the city for the righteous.
- Exodus 32:11-14 (thematic): Moses intercedes with God to avert destruction of Israel after the golden calf, pleading for mercy on the nation—parallel pattern of a human mediator pleading to spare a community.
- Numbers 14:13-20 (thematic): Another instance of Moses’ intercession when God threatens to destroy Israel for lack of faith; the structure (appeal to God’s reputation and covenant mercy) echoes Abraham’s negotiation to save the city for the righteous.
- Ezekiel 14:12-23 (allusion): Ezekiel treats the idea of sparing a land for the sake of a few righteous (Noah, Daniel, Job) and concludes their presence would not wholly avert judgment—explicitly engages the theological question raised by Abraham’s request.
Alternative generated candidates
- Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city; will you indeed sweep away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are within it?
- Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in its midst?
Gen.18.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חללה: INTJ
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- מעשת: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- להמית: VERB,hiphil,inf
- צדיק: ADJ,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- רשע: ADJ,m,sg
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כצדיק: PREP+ADJ,m,sg
- כרשע: PREP+ADJ,m,sg
- חללה: INTJ
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- השפט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כל: DET,m,sg
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.32.4 (verbal): Declares God’s work is perfect and that he is righteous and just—echoes Abraham’s appeal to the Judge of all the earth doing right.
- Job.34.12 (verbal): Asserts that God will not act wickedly or pervert justice, directly paralleling Abraham’s rhetorical confidence that the Judge of all the earth will do right.
- Ps.9.8 (verbal): Proclaims that God will judge the world in righteousness and govern the peoples with justice—same theme of divine adjudication and righteousness.
- Isa.33.22 (verbal): Titles the LORD as judge, lawgiver, and king—a concise formulation of God’s judicial role comparable to Abraham’s summons to the Judge of all the earth.
- Ps.82.1-4 (thematic): Depicts God presiding in judgment and condemning human injustice, calling for defense of the weak—thematically related to Abraham’s concern that the righteous not be treated as the wicked.
Alternative generated candidates
- Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put to death the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from you. Shall the Judge of all the earth not do justice?
- Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put to death the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. Far be it from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do justice?
Gen.18.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- אמצא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- בסדם: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- חמשים: NUM,card,pl
- צדיקם: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בתוך: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ונשאתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לכל: PREP
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בעבורם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,_,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 18:23-25 (structural): Immediate context: Abraham begins his plea to God ('Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?'), which directly leads into God's conditional offer in v.26.
- Genesis 18:32 (structural): Conclusion of the same bargaining sequence — Abraham lowers the number from fifty to ten, showing the negotiation pattern that v.26 initiates.
- Genesis 19:29 (thematic): After the destruction of Sodom, God 'remembered Abraham' and delivered Lot — a later narrative fulfillment of mercy sought on behalf of the righteous.
- Exodus 32:11-14 (thematic): Moses' intercession for Israel and God's relenting from planned destruction parallels Abraham's bargaining motif and the theme of divine mercy in response to intercession.
- Jude 1:7 (allusion): New Testament reference to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as exemplary divine judgment — draws on the same tradition of threatened punishment that v.26 addresses.
Alternative generated candidates
- And YHWH said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake.
- And YHWH said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.
Gen.18.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- נא: PART
- הואלתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- לדבר: INF,qal
- אל: NEG
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- ואנכי: PRON,1,sg
- עפר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואפר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Job 42:6 (verbal): Job says, 'Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes,' using the same 'dust and ashes' language of self‑abasement before God.
- Psalm 103:14 (thematic): The psalmist notes God's knowledge of human frailty—'He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust'—echoing Abraham's humility as a mortal before the Lord.
- Genesis 3:19 (verbal): God's declaration 'for you are dust, and to dust you shall return' uses the 'dust' motif to express human mortality and lowliness, resonant with Abraham's self‑description.
- Exodus 3:11 (thematic): Moses responds to God's call with a statement of personal inadequacy ('Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?'), paralleling Abraham's humble stance in approaching the divine.
- Daniel 9:3 (thematic): Daniel turns to God in prayer 'with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes,' linking ashes with penitence and humility before God similar to Abraham's 'dust and ashes' confession.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abraham answered and said, Behold, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord, though I am dust and ashes.
- And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord, and I am dust and ashes.
Gen.18.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אולי: PRT
- יחסרון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- חמשים: NUM,m,pl
- הצדיקם: NOUN,m,pl,def
- חמשה: NUM,m,pl
- התשחית: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בחמשה: PREP+NUM,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אשחית: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
- אם: CONJ
- אמצא: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
- שם: ADV
- ארבעים: NUM,m,pl
- וחמשה: CONJ+NUM,m,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 18:23-27 (structural): Immediate context: Abraham’s opening question (“Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”) that initiates the bargaining found in v.28.
- Genesis 18:30-32 (structural): Continuation of the same negotiation (reducing the required number of righteous from 45 down through 40, 30, 20 to 10); direct verbal and structural parallel within the chapter.
- Jeremiah 5:1-2 (thematic): Uses the motif of searching a city for righteous individuals to determine whether the city should be spared—same moral/argumentative logic as Abraham’s plea.
- Exodus 32:11-14 (thematic): Moses’ intercession leads God to ‘relent’ from bringing disaster on the people; parallels Abraham’s negotiation and the theme of divine forbearance after petition.
- Jonah 3:8-10 (thematic): Nineveh’s repentance leads God to relent and not execute threatened destruction—another instance of a city spared after appeal/repentance, echoing the outcome Abraham seeks.
Alternative generated candidates
- Perhaps the fifty righteous may lack five; will you destroy the whole city for five? And he said, I will not destroy if I find there forty-five.
- Perhaps the fifty righteous will lack five; will you destroy the whole city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy if I find there forty-five.
Gen.18.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- לדבר: INF,qal
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אולי: PART
- ימצאון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- ארבעים: NUM,card,pl,m,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
- בעבור: PREP
- הארבעים: NUM,card,pl,m,def
Parallels
- Exod.32:11-14 (verbal): Moses pleads with YHWH to spare Israel after their sin; like Abraham's bargaining, a direct intercessory dialogue leads God to 'relent' from planned destruction.
- Jonah 3:9-10 (structural): Nineveh's repentance results in God withholding announced punishment—parallels the theme that finding righteousness/repentance can avert divine judgment.
- Ezek.22:30 (allusion): YHWH says he 'sought for a man' to stand in the gap—echoes the idea of seeking a righteous individual/intercessor to prevent communal destruction.
- Jer.5:1 (thematic): Jeremiah is told to seek for one who does justice in Jerusalem ('if thou canst find a man')—similar language and concern with finding a righteous person to spare the city.
- Amos 7:1-6 (thematic): Amos intercedes after visions of judgment and God relents in response—another instance where prophetic/intercessory plea averts announced punishment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he again spoke to him and said, Perhaps forty will be found there. And he said, I will not do it for the sake of the forty.
- And he continued to speak to him and said, Perhaps forty will be found there. And he said, I will not do it for the sake of the forty.
Gen.18.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- נא: PART
- יחר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לאדני: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,m,poss1s
- ואדברה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- אולי: PART
- ימצאון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- אם: CONJ
- אמצא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- שם: ADV
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 18:32 (structural): Continuation of the same bargaining: Abraham further reduces the required number to ten and God again agrees, showing the pattern and outcome of the negotiation.
- Genesis 18:26 (verbal): An earlier step in the same exchange where God proposes sparing the city if fifty righteous are found—the verbal framework that Abraham then narrows.
- Exodus 32:11-14 (thematic): Moses intercedes to avert God's wrath over Israel and God 'relents'—a parallel theme of human mediation changing divine action.
- Jonah 3:9-10 (thematic): Nineveh's repentance leads God to relent from planned destruction, illustrating the theme of spared judgment when righteousness/repentance is present.
- Jeremiah 18:7-10 (thematic): Explicit statement of the conditional nature of divine judgment—if a nation repents God will relent—conceptually parallels Abraham's conditional plea for Sodom.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, Oh, let not my Lord be angry, and let me speak: Perhaps thirty will be found there. And he said, I will not do it if I find thirty there.
- And he said, Please let not my Lord be angry, and I will speak: Perhaps thirty will be found there. And he said, I will not do it if I find thirty there.
Gen.18.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- נא: PART
- הואלתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- לדבר: INF,qal
- אל: NEG
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- אולי: PART
- ימצאון: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אשחית: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,m,sg
- בעבור: PREP
- העשרים: NUM,card,pl,def
Parallels
- Genesis 18:26 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same bargaining sequence—Abraham’s initial appeal about fifty righteous and God’s formulaic reply 'I will not destroy for the fifty’s sake' shares wording and structure with v.31.
- Genesis 18:32 (structural): Continues the same dialogic pattern (Abraham’s successive reductions and God’s repeated promises), showing the literary structure of bargaining that frames v.31.
- Jonah 3:10 (thematic): God relents from planned destruction after human response/repentance—parallels the theme of intercession/plea leading to divine withholding of judgment.
- Ezekiel 22:30 (allusion): God seeks someone to 'stand in the gap' and intercede to prevent destruction; thematically analogous to Abraham’s role as intercessor pleading for Sodom.
- Amos 7:2–3 (thematic): Prophetic example where Amos pleads and the LORD 'relents' (repents) of destroying Israel—another instance of a human plea prompting God to withhold judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, Behold, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord: Perhaps twenty will be found there. And he said, I will not destroy for the sake of the twenty.
- And he said, Behold now, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord: Perhaps twenty will be found there. And he said, I will not destroy for the sake of the twenty.
Gen.18.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- נא: PART
- יחר: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לאדני: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואדברה: CONJ+VERB,qal,imperfect,1,_,sg
- אך: PART
- הפעם: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אולי: PART
- ימצאון: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אשחית: VERB,hiphil,imperfect,1,_,sg
- בעבור: PREP
- העשרה: NUM,card,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Exodus 32:11-14 (thematic): Moses intercedes for Israel after the golden calf; like Abraham he pleads with God to relent from promised judgment and God withdraws the threat.
- Numbers 14:13-20 (verbal): Moses bargains with God over the fate of the people, appealing to God’s reputation and promising to turn away wrath—parallel pattern of bold petition and divine relenting.
- Jonah 3:10 (thematic): God relents from planned destruction of Nineveh after intercession/repentance; parallels the theme that divine judgment may be withheld in response to petition or righteousness.
- Amos 7:1-6 (thematic): The prophet’s visions are followed by intercessory prayer and God’s relenting in part—another prophetic example of petition affecting divine action, resonating with Abraham’s negotiation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, Oh, let not my Lord be angry, and I will speak but this once: Perhaps ten will be found there. And he said, I will not destroy for the sake of the ten.
- And he said, Please let not my Lord be angry, and I will speak only this once: Perhaps ten will be found there. And he said, I will not destroy for the sake of the ten.
Gen.18.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- כלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לדבר: INF,qal
- אל: NEG
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואברהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למקמו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 18:22 (verbal): Same scene earlier in the chapter: the visitors move toward Sodom while 'Abraham stood yet before the LORD' — closely related language and the motif of departure/remaining.
- Genesis 19:27 (verbal): Immediate narrative continuation: 'Abraham rose up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD' — repeats the language of Abraham's standing/return to his place.
- Judges 13:21‑23 (thematic): After the angel of the LORD ascends in the flame and departs, Manoah and his wife react — parallels the departure of a divine visitor after intimate communication.
- Exodus 33:7‑11 (thematic): Moses' private, face‑to‑face speaking with the LORD in the tent and the LORD's special withdrawal/manifestation — a similar intimacy of divine-human discourse followed by separation.
- 1 Kings 19:11‑13 (thematic): Elijah experiences the LORD 'passing by' and then hears the still small voice; the sequence of divine manifestation/passing and the prophet's response echoes the motif of God departing after revelation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And YHWH departed when he had finished speaking with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
- And YHWH went away when he had finished speaking with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
And the men rose up from there, and they looked out toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them to see them off. And YHWH said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,
seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
For I have known him, that he may command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of YHWH, to do righteousness and justice, so that YHWH may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken concerning him. And YHWH said, The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is indeed very grave.
I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to its outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before YHWH. And Abraham drew near and said, Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city; will you indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are within it?
Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put to death the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from you. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do justice? And YHWH said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord, though I am dust and ashes.
Perhaps the fifty righteous will lack five—will you destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy if I find there forty-five. And he spoke to him again and said, Perhaps forty will be found there. And he said, I will not do it for the sake of the forty. And he said, Oh, let not my Lord be angry, and let me speak: Perhaps thirty will be found there. And he said, I will not do it if I find there thirty. And he said, Behold now, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord: Perhaps twenty will be found there. And he said, I will not destroy for the sake of the twenty. And he said, Oh, let not my Lord be angry, and let me speak only this once: Perhaps ten will be found there. And he said, I will not destroy for the sake of the ten. And YHWH went, when he had finished speaking with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.